Los Banos Rotary Club History
Germino Is Named Outstanding Varsity Football Player

Don Germino, co-captain of the local high school football team, was named outstanding player of the year at the annual Rotary Club Football Banquet Tuesday night.

The award, an individual trophy and the Del Mar Jewelers perpetual plaque engraved with Germino's name, was presented by Joe C. Cardoza, local jeweler. The plaque is exhibited at the high school.

Germino was selected by head football coach Gil Mendonsa, assistant coach Ray Hobbs and vice principal Sam Benidettino on the basis of sportsmanship, ability, scholarship, effort, leadership and cooperation.
Members of the varsity, lightweight teams, and their coaches were honored at the annual banquet sponsored by Los Banos Rotarians. The coaching staff and other guests were introduced by Otto Zentner, Rotary president.
Outstanding varsity players of the week selected by the Los Banos Junior Chamber of Commerce were introduced by Jaycee Vern Freitas and individual trophies and certificates were presented to them. They are Bob Silva, Frank Silveria, Lloyd Brinlee, Danny Silva, Don Germino, John Nunes, Bob Vogt and David Affonso.

Senior members of the varsity squad and their fathers were introduced by Zentner who presented gold miniature footballs to the players. Seniors introduced were David Affonso, Don Baker, Brinlee, Bill Colbert, Germino, John Lopes, Bill Martin, John Nunes, Frank Silveria, Ellis Tweten, Bob Vogt, Jack Wheeler and Joe Forte.

Gil Mendonsa, head football coach, listed desire as "the most important thing in football. Without it you have nothing."

Looking back on the season, the coach lauded the varsity effort, stating the season was not as bad as the win and loss column indicated.
"Los Banos is coming in football. In the next few years we'll have some top teams." Seven of this season's team members will be back next year, and the varsity also will be bolstered by experienced players up from the lightweight squad. Mendonsa stressed, however, "we'll be up against some tougher teams, too."

Each varsity player and team managers Bob Silva and Charles Peluso and line coach Ray Hobbs were introduced.

Zentner introduced B squad coach Doug Pederson and assistant coach Robert Williams reviewed the lightweight season and introduced the squad.
Outstanding season highlights, said Williams, were the B victories over Dos Palos, a squad which went into the game undefeated in 13 consecutive games, and Patterson also undefeated until their encounter with Los Banos.
"We had a good season because we had boys who wanted to play ball," said Williams. Team managers introduced were Bob Mayes and Jim Hurley.
Guest speaker was Lon Simmons, Fresno sportscaster, who told the group coaches must teach players four things – the ability to win, make the most of ability, the will to win, and to win in accordance with the rules.

Simmons stressed that great athletes win gracefully and it is important to know "how to accept victory after you get it."

"These are the ultimate aims and goals of coaching," said Simmons.
He added that players who are not picked by their coaches for awards realize in later life they had ample rewards in knowing they played hard and to the best of their ability.
Also speaking briefly was Principal Carlyle Loftin, who said he was proud of the varsity, not in games won or lost, but the way in which they played. "That's the important thing to me."

He praised the B team for their undefeated season stating the squad is a good source for future varsity material. He expressed the appreciation of the school for community support of football and to those who assisted at the stadium here during games.

Members of the Lions and 20-30 Clubs were guests at the banquet.

December 7, 1956

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